I had got a cold though, on monday I taught Matsui -san inspite of the fact he was feeling ill. I thought I was up to the task but would later regret my choice as I came down with his illness. I was in such bad shape on friday that I had to cancel 2 of my morning classes as I was just in no shape to teach. Saturday came and I did my normal class with the wonderful Ohtomi group. At the end I went home thinking that I had the rest of the long weekend to recoup from my kaze. (Japanese for cold, and wind too ;-)) .
But saturday night I got a call from my friend Kaoru. The trip to Nagano was finally going to happen. "Doh! I can't go" I thought. "Sensei would kill me if he knew I went mountain biking when I was ill." I diplomatically told Kaoru "Tabun" (Maybe in Japan). I said good night to my friend, hung up the phone and immediately started to stew.
The Bike park in Nagano will close on November the 4th and become a ski hill much the way Whistler does. I knew they would only make one trip to Nagano before then. If I was going to see the bike park there, this would be my one shot. I would have to risk Sensei's admonishments. So at 4:30 am on sunday morning, I woke up. I loaded up with cold medecine, emailed my Mom, packed up armor, loaded my bike into my car and headed for the rally point near route 1 here in Fujieda. Same as the trip to Fuji-san, we loaded all our bikes into Kaniwa's super Toyota van. 9 Bikes, 9 riders, 1 Van this time as there was no need for a shuttle. They gave me shot gun, 9 people in one van is crowded in any van, so might as well let the big guy ride in the front seat. The people here are very generous to guests.
It would be a 3 hour drive to Fujimi Panorama, the bike park in Nagano. I would sleep most of the way there, but on the way back I was treated to some fantastic Japanese scenery. Hopefully I can write more about that in a later post. This pic is of 7 members of the ride crew. Kaniwa and Kaoru are in the back row with Tiesho and Hida.
Here is one thing we never did at whistler. A tent was brought along for a comfortable place to change clothes and relax after each run. One thing about my Japanese friends is that they are always ultra-prepared.
If riding is not your thing, and you have faith in an engine strapped to your back, your can try para gliding here too. yawn. 
OK back to mountain biking stuff. The above pic is of my friend Kaoru and the scenery behind him. Down there below the mountain is a town I don't know the name of, but I know it's in Nagano somewhere. For those of you who are wondering, the Olympics in '98 took place about 3 hours to the north of where we where. Nagano I guess is one of the larger prefectures in Japan.
5100 yen for day pass on the gondora. I swear to god I'll make them change that to an 'L' before I leave.
5100 yen for day pass on the gondora. I swear to god I'll make them change that to an 'L' before I leave.
There are only 3 different trails here. They are creatively named A, B and C. The trails are long though, with many interections so you can mix and match different parts of your ride.
The trails are quality, well kept and fast. It seems to me that the people here like their speed. The A trail is a speedy, steep sorta ride, maybe comparable to whistler's 'frieght train' without the jumps.
The C line which we rode as a warm up is supposed to be like Whistlers' 'B-line'. It's a lot faster though. I would call it an 'A-line' without the jumps.
My favorite trail was the first 3/4 's of the B trail. A super fast version of "Muddy Pirate". Which is actually "Angry Pirate" when it's dry but I hear that wasn't that often this year. LOL. The last quarter of the B trail was SOOOO muddy and greasy that you just had no control. The whole way down I could hear IFO's voice in my head. "Let it happen, Let it Happen. "I skipped it the second time down.
This is a good pic of Kaoru taking a corner on the B trail.
Tiesh riding the same line.
We stayed most of the day, left a bit early as people were wearing down after a few runs. I'd like to invite all my friends to Vancouver one day, take for some endurance training on Fromme and maybe a full day of Whistler lovin. Had I not been ill, I coulda rode all day and night.
I am so glad I went. First Mt. Fuji and now one of 2 known MTB parks in Japan, and all while mountain biking is just getting started in this country. If my friends could ever come to Vancouver they might see how limitless the potential for moutain biking is. Having rode in Japan, I had a taste of what the sport was like before I got into it.
3 months into my trip here, I have had a few experiences I will never forget. The next day I would have another. But you'll have to read the next post for that story.
A persons life can be truly amazing if they can just let it happen.
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